Fig. 203.—Dunfermline Abbey. North Porch.
([Fig. 202]), as well as the porch on the north side of the nave ([Fig. 203]). At the same time, also, certain great buttresses ([Fig. 204]) were built against the outer walls, which are now conspicuous features of the structure.
The great western doorway of the church ([Fig. 205]) remains unaltered, and is a good example of Norman work. It consists of five orders, having round and octagonal shafts alternately, chiefly with cushion caps, but some are ornamented with scrolls ([Fig. 206]). The abacus is heavy, and is carved with sunk diapers. The orders are continued round the arches, and contain chevron ornaments (much decayed), rosettes, and diapers. The outer order contains large heads and geometric figures in the alternate voussoirs, an arrangement similar to that at Dalmeny and Whithorn, where also the geometric figures resemble those adopted here. The original north doorway ([Fig. 207]), which is partly concealed by Schaw’s porch, is similar in design, with the addition of an arcade above the arch (see [Fig. 203.]), somewhat resembling, but plainer than that over the doorway of Dalmeny Church, on the south side of the Forth. The south doorway of the church on the opposite side from the porch is a late work. There appears to have been another south doorway at the east end of the nave, but it is now built up. The whole of the aisle walls are arcaded in the interior ([Fig. 208]) up to the height of the window sills, but the arcade has been partly cut away for monuments.
The general design of the nave recalls that of Durham Cathedral, at the founding of which King Malcolm Canmore was present. The same circular piers, with zig-zag ornaments and massive cushion caps, and also clustered piers, occur in each ([Fig. 209]), and the small circular bases, resting on great square plinths, are common to both (see also p. 37, [Fig. 18.]). The arches between the main piers ([Fig. 210]) consist of bold mouldings, with the label ornament running round the outer moulding. The triforium at Dunfermline is extremely simple ([Fig. 211]), consisting of a single opening with plain jambs and round arch, with a large roll and fillet in the centre of the thickness of the wall, supported on single attached shafts with cushion caps. The clerestory is also very simple. It contains one window in each bay, with plain recessed arch, supported on single shafts with cushion caps. The aisles ([Fig. 212]) are vaulted and groined. The transverse arches are flat, with a roll on each side, and the diagonal groins spring from the detached shafts of the responds (see [Fig. 208.]). The windows of the aisles (see [Fig. 209.]) are single round-headed lights, having plain sconsions with one recessed shaft on each side, and the arch enriched with chevron mouldings. Externally ([Fig. 213]) they are of similar design.
[Fig. 208] shows the wall shafting and springing of the ribs in the aisles, and the mouldings of the nave arcade, with the arcading beneath the